New record for a round-the-world balloon trip

Russian adventurer Fyodor Konyukhov, aged 64, set a new record in navigating the hot air balloon around the world after a journey of 11 days. He landed on private property in Western Australia. The pilot bruised his cheek during the landing, but was otherwise unharmed.

The 11-day journey, which began on July 12, took the 64-year-old adventurer from Australia, over New Zealand, across the Pacific Ocean, South America, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Southern Ocean. “It is scary to be so down south and away from civilisation. This place feels very lonely and remote – no land, no planes, no ships,” Mr Konyukhov wrote on his blog.

His son, Oscar, told Australia’s Seven News that the trip means several world records for his father. “He beat the speed record, the distance record and he will be the first person to fly solo, non-stop around the world from the first attempt,” he said shortly after the historic landing.

Konyukhov had embarked on its journey in the town of Northam in Western Australia on July 12. The record was set when the balloon 64 year old adventurer flew back on the town of Northam, after 11 days on a solo trip. Feodor landed 100 kilometers away in Perth, reported reporters from ABC Australia.

Russian beat the record of 13 days set in 2002 by Steve Fossett. At the end of 11 days, the people saw the balloon flying over Northam community. The wealthy businessman and friend of the Russian adventurer, Dick Smith, himself a record-breaker and aviator assisted him in landing in Australia.